IWD 2024 - Diana Davidson

Tell us about your career journey leading to where you are now.

A few experiences influenced my career:

Growing up in Japan as a child, as the country recovered from nuclear bombing - helping me to understand how vital it is to work together to create a safe and healthy world.

Reading Silent Spring by Rachel Carson. Then watching Live Aid - inspiring me to question many things, until I realised that most of our biggest challenges are caused by mankind.

Frustration at the apparent lack of urgency in driving the changes we so urgently needed - then listening to Bill Gates as he shared his vision of a digital world - it changed everything.

Empowering me to create award winning systems, processes, services, standards, and environments while horizon searching new ways to accelerate our transition to a net zero energy future.

Supporting PhD research fellows in spinning out their new renewable energy company to produce clean energy from air and decarbonise global shipping and aviation.

‘Joining the dots’ to accelerate our transition to a future net zero energy world - can’t wait to see what we might achieve next! 

What inspired you to pursue a leadership role?

While working my way up the corporate ladder I was always aware that the ultimate goal was to become a leader. As I got closer, I increasingly realised I was in the minority and that it was important for me to step up to change that.

What is or are your biggest career achievements?

Reducing domestic energy bills by £100m to safeguard the health and wellbeing of the UK’s most vulnerable citizens.

How did you develop your leadership skills?

I Invested in myself by returning to University to study for a second degree when I was 40, as I was struggling to manage the increasing complexity I was experiencing in my work.

How do you define your leadership style?

I’m used to working with colleagues who often face big challenges within a tight deadline and are often struggling to perform.

I focus on listening and identifying key strengths and opportunities - enabling us to agree a shared objective to resolve any qualified threats and weaknesses.

The success of our strategy is qualified by the references which clients, stakeholders and colleagues have kindly shared on my LinkedIn profile.

What’s the most important leadership lesson you’ve learned?

Giving people space and listening to what they are and aren’t saying - then engaging them in delivering the change they really want to see.

Have you achieved everything you wanted in your career so far? 

No. That’s still evolving. Most of the technologies I work on today didn’t exist 5 years ago, making planning more exciting.

How important is personal development to your success, and how do you approach it?

I follow my curiosity. It hasn’t let me down yet in future proofing my interests. 

1.It helps me to engage and network with people who share my passion. 

2. It helps me to develop competency in new and emerging markets where `i already have a genuine interest. 

3. It helps to relate across client and stakeholder demographics in ways which often set me apart as a pioneer.

How do you prioritise tasks when everything feels like a priority?

Prioritise the task which will remove the most risk and deliver the greatest value. Great value often carries risks which are overlooked….

What was the hardest decision you have taken as a leader?

To start my own business 14 years ago, on my own with no plan, investment or income other than my home and life savings.

What steps do you take to measure your own performance?

As a business owner I measure my performance by the prompt payment of my invoices - so I can stay in business - doing what I’m passionate about.

As a volunteer, I measure my performance by the pleasure it gives me in doing something I care about - for my community, wildlife, the environment.

What does success mean for you as a business leader?

Success shifted from “me” to “we” a while ago. 

I now measure the value of my actions with my industry, clients, stakeholders and colleagues as we strive to achieve objectives which will make a positive difference in the every day lives of millions of people.

What advice would you give to someone starting off their career as a future business leader?

To listen more than you speak and always to make time for the members of your team who rarely say anything.  

A few other subjects that have been suggested:  forging women’s economic empowerment, recruiting, retaining and development female talent and supporting women and girls into leadership.